Carter Nepia was only trying to post a solid round in the Newcastle District Golf Association Championships at Hawks Nest Golf Club last Sunday, instead he walked away with a 'three sweep' – the District Championship, Junior Championship and Junior Champion of Champions to his name.
“I was just hoping to go pretty good, I didn’t think I would win,” said Nepia.
The Newcastle Golf Club Junior posted an impressive round of 2-under par 70, to leave plenty of the more fancied golfers in his wake including a brace of current and former representatives, to win by a shot from Merewether’s Luke Ferrier. Third place went to Toronto’s Josh Greenwood.
The key to Nepia’s round was consistency.
“I putted well on the first nine, holed two or three good putts and made a few solid pars, that’s all what I wanted to do,” he beamed.
Nepia had a busy beginning to his 2016 golf calendar, including playing a few games in Metropolitan Major Pennant with North Ryde for the first time this year.
“I lost three matches, but it was good experience to go down there and play. It was my first year. I can’t wait to be part of the team next year.”
Next on his list is the Jack Newton State Age Championships. He’s keen to have a tilt at a regional qualifying tournament for the NSW Open as well.
“I’m practising hard for the State Age Champs. I want to go well in them, and playing in one of the (NSW Open) Regional Qualifiers maybe!” he said.
Nepia has come a long way in the game since he first picked a club up seven years ago under the eyes of his coach Leigh Newman. The 16-year-old, who is home schooled, has hopes of a professional career in the future.
“I want to make it on some sort of Tour, the Asian Tour, or the European Tour, some sort of pro golf career for sure,” he smiled.